VIDEO: Trafeh Sets Record in USA Half Championships

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- Mohamed Trafeh broke a course record en route to winning the 2013 USA Half Marathon Championships as a part of Grandma's marathon weekend on Saturday morning.
Trafeh finished with a time of 1 hour, 1 minute, and 17 seconds, breaking the previous mark of 1:02.19 set by Derese Deniboba of Ethiopia in 2011.
Trafeh led from the start of the race and said it's a sweet feeling to etch his name in into history.
“I mean leaving your name on the records list, it feels amazing, especially a long-standing record. It feels great. I’m hoping to come back another year and break it.”
Meb Keflezighi was second at 1:01.22 while Shadrack Biwott came in third with a time of 1:02.24.
In the women's half marathon championships, Adriana Nelson broke through the tape first with a time of 1:11.19.
Nelson said she was excited when she finally turned the corner toward the final stretch.
“It was very nice to see the finish line," Nelson said. "The last mile was so wavy. It was like where is the finish line? This is the longest mile ever. But at the same time, I knew I had it so it felt very good to see myself breaking the tape.”
Desiree Davila took home the bronze at 1:11.26, and Kelly Brinkman came through at 1:11.33.
Posted by Sarah Wheeler
swheeler@kbjr.com